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CHIHUAHUA

Introduction to the Raramuri
by Ron Mader

MEXICO FORUM

MEXICO -- The Copper Canyon is home to 60,000 Tarahumara Indians (or in their own language, they are the Raramuri, "those who walk through life correctly").

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THE PEOPLE

The Tarahumara are the second largest indigenous group north of Mexico City (the Navajo in the United States are the first). They are famous for their long distance running. Some are capable of running nonstop for more than 20 hours. When the Spanish arrived in the early 1500s, the Tarahumara lived in the fertile valleys of central Chihuahua. To evade the missionaries and Spanish settlers, they moved to the mountains.

Today, their settlements are very small and often seasonal. Tarahumaras traditionally live in caves or cabins along the canyon rims during the summer and move to the canyon bottoms during the winter. This is all geared toward a productive agricultural system in which specialized crops are grown for a specific altitude or type of soil. Corn is the major crop and the indigenous milpas, or fields, can boast more than six different strains, including blue, red and white corn.

TOURISM

If you do visit, please respect their privacy. That said, many Tarahumara are qualified guides who want to help bridge gaps in cultural understanding.

SPIRITUALITY

The Tarahumara have an organic cosmology - a vital part of their religion is their belief that they are an integral part of the land and of the universe itself.

RARAMURI PHRASES

Good morning Kuira, Kuira-bá
Good afternoon Kuira, Kuira-bá
Good evening Kuira, Kuira-bá
Hello Kuira, Kuira-bá
Thank you Matétera-bá
Until tomorrow Ipaché
Goodbye Adios-ibá


AUTHOR

Ron Mader is the Latin America correspondent for Transitions Abroad and host of the award-winning Planeta.com website.


REFERENCES

g Exploring Chihuahua
g Exploring the Copper Canyon
g Exploring the Chihuahuan Desert


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